one of the most amazing things we saw in istanbul was the chora church. it was our first day in istanbul and one of nick’s colleagues had offered to show us around. she is turkish and spent some time in istanbul. our first stop was the kariye museum. the mosaics are breathtaking. it’s a small place and you can get right up to see the detail in the mosaics. it was a perfect first day of the trip activity since we were still quite jetlagged. we really loved the intimate nature of the building and of course, the history. the museum is a bit out of the way but so worth the extra effort. there is a wonderful restaurant directly next to the museum that has an ottoman inspired menu. perfect.

oh, how i love the high line in new york city. we visited it a few years ago when it first opened and it was amazing. now, it is even better. there are so many cool things; a bird colony, chaise lounges that slide along the tracks, and the colored windows that are supposed to represent the colors of water. i can’t wait to go back once it is complete.

i haven’t been to times square since it was super seedy. that changed earlier this week when i went to the new and improved(?) times square. it sure is bright, even first thing in the morning. it is a fantastic place to people watch and to listen to a world of languages. in the a.m.in the p.m.

it was a beautiful winter morning. the girl asks as soon as she wakes if she can go play in the snow. she finds some bunny tracks with blood, she is very upset thinking that a bunny was hurt, or worse. we decide to walk by the frozen pond, as a distraction. she tells me she built a snow chair and she sometimes sits in it and pretends she is the snow queen.